Two New Bedford men are accused of stealing a large amount of merchandise from a Wareham big-box store and transporting the goods to a business address in New Bedford.

Oscar Ortiz, 46, and Eric Ramos, 34, both of New Bedford, were taken into custody Thursday, according to a news release from the Wareham Police Department.

Wareham Police detectives say on Jan. 14 they were contacted by the Organized Retail Crime Investigation Unit of Lowe’s regarding an ongoing larceny issue at their Wareham store. The detectives began a joint investigation with the team from Lowe’s. They conducted several days of investigation and determined that a man who was contracted to clean the store was stealing items and transporting them to New Bedford, Wareham police said in a news release. The stolen items were allegedly being brought to 1407 Acushnet Ave. and being offloaded into a business at that location.

Wareham Police
Wareham Police
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On Jan. 21, Wareham detectives applied for and received three search warrants and two arrest warrants from Wareham District Court. With assistance from the New Bedford Police Department and Massachusetts State Police, warrants were served at 1407 and 1401 Acushnet Avenue.

During the search, $20,000 worth of stolen items were located, Wareham police said. Police said a truck had to be utilized to bring all of the items back to the Wareham store.

The investigation remains active and it is believed that nearly $100,000 worth of goods were stolen from the store in the last several months, Wareham Police Chief John Walcek said.

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